UK's hospital waiting times among worst in high-income countries, survey finds

In 2023, 61% of people in the UK reported waiting more than 4 weeks for a specialist appointment, a significant rise from just 14% in 2013 

The UK's performance in hospital-based care is falling behind other high-income countries, according to a new report published by the Health Foundation.

For hospital care waiting times, the UK ranked among the worst in a public survey of 10 nations, with 11 per cent of people waiting a year or more for a specialist appointment and 19 per cent facing the same delay for non-emergency surgery. Only Canada had comparable figures.

The report published on Thursday (22 August) also pointed out that waiting times for specialist appointments have increased more rapidly in the UK than in other countries. In 2023, 61 per cent of people in the UK reported waiting more than four weeks for a specialist appointment, a significant rise from just 14 per cent in 2013.

Over 21,000 people from across 10 developed countries, including over 3,000 from the UK, participated in the 2023 Commonwealth Fund survey.

The survey analysis highlighted key areas where the UK performs poorly on hospital-based care, including long waits for specialist care, lack of access to out-of-hours care, and high cost of treatments like dental care.

In terms of general practice, the UK ranked among the better-performing countries, with 42 per cent of people reporting same or next-day appointments.

However, the report highlights several areas where the nation falls short.

• Only 16 per cent of UK respondents reported it was ‘very’ or ‘somewhat easy’ to get medical care in the evenings and weekends without going to A&E.
• The UK ranks near the bottom on people’s experiences with GPs, particularly in having things clearly explained and spending enough time with their doctor.
• Additionally, the UK performed poorly on care coordination between healthcare professionals such as GPs and specialists.

As per the report, there has been a significant increase in healthcare affordability issues in the UK since 2013.

In the 2023 survey, 26 per cent of UK respondents reported skipping dental care or checkups due to cost, a sharp rise from just six per cent of people surveyed in 2013.

The report noted that while the NHS remains largely free at the point of use, the percentage of people who avoided visiting or consulting with a doctor due to financial concerns has tripled over the past decade, from two per cent in 2013 to seven per cent in 2023, likely driven by recent increases in living costs.

Ruth Thorlby, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, said: "These findings show the UK consistently coming near the bottom of the pack on people’s experience of healthcare compared to other high-income countries.”

“It sheds yet more light on just how much work the government has to do to get the NHS back on its feet.”

Thorlby noted that while the UK is not alone in facing healthcare challenges, the pandemic's impact, combined with below-average spending growth, has left the NHS in a “fragile state.”

She appreciated the government's focus on reducing waiting lists, but noted that it can “only be done with a concerted effort to improve primary care and ensuring good coordination between hospitals and GPs.”

Thorlby stressed that national and local health leaders must be vigilant against “creeping costs” that could deny people access to healthcare.

She pointed out that this issue is especially evident in dental care, where increasing numbers of people are avoiding treatment due to costs.

“If these trends continue, the risk is that more and more people, particularly from deprived communities, will delay seeking care, which could store up more health problems in the future,” she said.

Thorlby concluded that while there are no quick fixes, the NHS can recover with the right mix of “policy change, innovation and investment.”